84: Tempting [Event]

Through the barrier, Shi Li had a clear view of the Demon cards opposite him.

A physically large guy isn't necessarily a Giant card.

For example, the Demon in front of him was divided into a total of 7 cards.

【Rhino-Armored Beast】

Firm, Attack 50, 160/160 HP, 0/50 Energy

【Thick Hide Armor - Passive】: Rhino-Armored Beast maintains Defense throughout.

【Defense Master - Passive】: Rhino-Armored Beast's other actions are not affected by Defense.

【Armor Burst - 30 Energy】: Rhino-Armored Beast deals (60+30) damage to 1 target, but cannot use Defense next turn.

Aside from the Demon Leader card having 50 Attack and 160 HP, the other regular Demon cards all had 20 Attack and 80 HP.

The total Attack Power of the 7 cards reached 170 points, and their total HP was 640 points.

In Shi Li's opinion, the opponent's most formidable aspect wasn't having 7 cards.

Rather, it was the combination of the terms “maintains Defense throughout” and “other actions are not affected by Defense.”

This meant it could continuously enjoy a 50% damage reduction while still being able to attack.

To put it plainly, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to treat the opponent as having 1280 HP.

This amount of HP even exceeded some Giant card Demons.

If he were to face it himself, Shi Li felt he would only be fit to throw a Retreat card.

However, Zhong Xin remained calm and composed after seeing the opponent's cards.

He casually revealed his trump card.

To Shi Li's surprise, this trump card was only a one-star card with a white glow.

【Electricity, Release, Release!】

Its projection was a bipedal robot that looked slightly wobbly even when walking.

【Discipline Tutor Bot】

Balanced, 40 points, One-Star

Attack 50, 200/200 HP

【Electric Paralysis - Passive】: Discipline Tutor Bot's Attack Power -20, applies Vulnerability effect (T2).

(【Vulnerability】: Target cannot use Defense.)

This card could be said to completely counter the Rhino-Armored Beast.

“Sometimes, an important term is far more crucial than a character card's star rating.”

Zhong Xin's tone was like a teacher instructing a student.

He subsequently revealed his deck.

The deck's composition was very healthy:

1 Damage-Soaking card + 1 Recovery/Sustain card + 2 Output cards

One of the Output cards was also a one-star, but it similarly possessed an attack effect that countered the Rhino-Armored Beast.

【Breakthrough】: Ignores Defense

This way, the trump card + 1 Output card could attack the Defense on the left column, while the Output card with Breakthrough attacked the Defense on the right column.

Even though the opponent had a full 7 Demon cards, they ultimately met their demise at Zhong Xin's hands.

“Impressive.”

After watching the normal game, Shi Li recalled Old Han's previous evaluation.

Zhong Xin was indeed the most well-rounded card player in the entire Pioneering Group.

Just by pulling out a deck of 2x One-Star + 3x Two-Star cards, he defeated a LV7 Three-Star Demon.

This made Shi Li re-examine his own deck.

Should he also acquire a few highly targeted, functional One-Star cards to deal with various situations?

After the battle, Zhong Xin performed multiple Gathers on the Demon.

Just as he had said, this type of Demon had a higher Gather rate.

He performed 2 Gathers in total and obtained one Two-Star Firm System Medium.

The two then continued deeper, arriving at the end of the valley.

The cliff walls at the end were covered in gnaw marks; judging by the size of the gaps, they all came from the Rhino-Armored Beast they had just fought.

“Zhong Captain, something seems wrong here.”

However, Shi Li still keenly noticed an anomaly.

Unlike the gnawed marks, this hollow area maintained a smooth, rounded shape.

It was as if someone had used a very clever method to dig out the ore without damaging the surface of the mountain.

“It's a Gather mark.”

Zhong Xin's face showed a serious expression for the first time.

“And it's not from our team members.”

He opened his wristband's tracking system, which showed that even the closest exploration team was over ten kilometers away from them.

Theoretically, everyone's exploration directions were not conflicting; other teams had no reason to specifically detour here to Gather and then return to their predetermined route.

“An alien race?”

Shi Li understood why the other party had such an expression.

“Most likely.”

Zhong Xin nodded and quickly transmitted the news of suspected alien race activity through his wristband.

Due to differences in physical structure and race, alien races often possessed unpredictability.

Before in-depth contact, it was difficult to determine if they were hostile or friendly.

An alien race capable of using Gather must be a card player.

Since Three-Star Demons existed in the Chaotic Stone Plains, it likely meant there were Platinum-tier alien race card players.

So, whether to continue forward suddenly became a choice for Zhong Xin.

If they turned back now, their gains from this trip would be extremely low.

Aside from a single ore vein, there would be virtually no other gains.

If they continued forward, they might encounter alien races of unknown alignment.

Friendly ones would be fine, but if the opponents were bloodthirsty and powerful alien races, the danger would significantly increase.

“Do you… have an Escape card?”

Zhong Xin personally leaned towards continuing forward.

“Yes.”

Shi Li showed it.

Seeing this item card, Zhong Xin felt a little more at ease.

The Escape card was one of the biggest life-saving trump cards in the alien realm; he also had one.

“This is the situation now. Do you think we should go forward or backward?”

Zhong Xin asked.

According to the Pioneering Group's system, when facing potentially high-risk choices, he, as a member of the team, had to obtain the consent of the other team member.

“Forward.”

What Zhong Xin didn't expect was Shi Li's remarkably decisive agreement.

“Good.”

Admiration showed in his eyes.

As a newcomer entering the alien realm for the first time, this kind of unhesitating courage was rare.

In fact, during his years with the Pioneering Group, Zhong Xin had seen all kinds of people.

But some people, even seasoned veterans, still acted timidly despite holding life-saving trump cards.

To put it nicely, that was caution, or perhaps being reluctant to use up a life-saving trump card.

To put it less nicely, that was cowardice, content with the status quo and unwilling to take risks.

“Actually, high risk means high reward. In the process of encountering alien races, we might encounter Events.”

He smiled as he explained to Shi Li: “The most profitable things in the alien realm are Events.

The rewards after completing an Event are very rich; for example, the token cards we are familiar with are produced by Events.”

“I really want to see Zhao Zhongxiang, oh no, I really want to see alien races.”

As soon as he said this, Shi Li's enthusiasm instantly surged several levels.

“I just mentioned it casually, don't get your hopes up too high.”

Zhong Xin suddenly felt a bit exasperated.

Not to mention whether they could even trigger an Event.

The rewards from an Event were certainly good, but this kid also needed the ability to complete it.

…

…